Automatic internet access method using digital subscriber line

ABSTRACT

An automatic Internet access method using a digital subscriber line includes: upon receiving an automatic Internet access program install request from a user, installing a PPPoE device driver including a PPPoE adapter and an NDISWAN (Network Driver Interface Specification Wide Area Network) miniport driver, and an ADSL monitoring tool which is an application program for informing the user whether ADSL (Asynchronous Digital Subscriber Line) is connected, in a user PC; upon power on of the user PC, attempting automatic Internet access by the PPPoE device driver on WINDOWS™ over a device driver, and interposing between TCP/IP and the PPPoE device driver a PPP/PPPoE module for informing the user of a current connection state through the ADSL monitoring tool under the control of the device driver; receiving a user ID and a password input by the user through a user interface while installing the PPPoE device driver in the user PC, and storing the received user ID and password in a registry; and upon power on of the user PC, attaining by the device driver user authentication from a NAS server on the Internet using the user ID and the password stored in the registry, and performing Internet access.

CLAIM OF PRIORITY

[0001] This application makes reference to, incorporates the sameherein, and claims all benefits accruing under 35 U.S.C. § 119 from anapplication for INTERNET AUTOMATIC CONNECTION METHOD USING DIGITALSUBSCRIBER LINE earlier filed in the Korean Industrial Property Officeon Sep. 15, 2001 and there duly assigned Serial No. 2001-57041.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] 1. Field of the Invention

[0003] The present invention relates generally to a transmission system,and in particular, to an automatic Internet access method using adigital subscriber line.

[0004] 2. Description of the Related Art

[0005] An xDSL (x-Digital Subscriber Line) technology is used to providea high-speed data service using an existing telephone line. Major xDSLsinclude ADSL (Asymmetrical DSL), UADSL (Universal Asymmetrical DSL),HDSL (High bit rate DSL), SDSL (Symmetrical DSL), MSDSL (MultirateSymmetrical DSL), RADSL (Rate Adaptive DSL), IDSL (ISDN (Integratedservices digital network) like DSL), and VDSL (Very high DSL).

[0006] The ADSL transmits both a high-speed data service and a standardvoice service through a twisted-pair copper wire. The ADSL ischaracterized by providing the high-speed data communication service aswell as the existing telephone service, using the existing telephoneline and telephone set. However, the existing modem cannot be used forboth the telephone service and the data communication service. The ISDN,though it can be used for both the telephone service and the datacommunication service, decreases in a data rate to the half. Incontrast, the ADSL uses a low frequency for the telephone service and ahigh frequency for the data communication service on a single telephoneline, thus preventing interference and securing a data rate. The ADSL iscalled an asymmetrical digital subscriber line, because a data rate of aforward signal from a telephone office to a subscriber is different froma data rate of a reverse signal from the subscriber to the telephoneoffice. Compared with the existing CATV (Cable Television) in which aforward data rate is identical to a reverse data rate and the high-speeddata communication service can be supported, the ADSL is disadvantageousin that its data rate is ⅓ times lower than the data rate of the CATV.However, the ADSL is advantageous in that the data rate is constantregardless of an increase in number of the subscribers. Each subscribercan transmit data at a data rate of up to 12 Mbps (bits per second). Dueto this advantage, the ADSL is generally used for the high-speed dataservice.

[0007] However, Internet access using the ADSL has the followingproblems.

[0008] First, Internet access using the ADSL depends upon the type of amodem in use. That is, an internal modem uses PPPoA (Point-to-PointProtocol over Asynchronous transfer mode) and an external modem usesPPPoE (Point-to-Point Protocol over Ethernet). Thus, the internal modemmust use a telephone connection adapter (or a PPP (Point-to-Point)module basically provided in WINDOWS™ for PPP communication) in apersonal computer (PC), and the external modem must use a WinPoETconnection program, an NTS connection program or other connectionprograms.

[0009] Second, the modems have different installation methods accordingto their types, so it is difficult to maintain and repair the modemsafter installation. In the case of internal modems, each modem has aunique installation driver, so a driver proper to an operating system ofthe user PC must be installed during installation of the modem. Afterinstallation, an operation of linking the installed internal driver to atelephone connection adapter of the user PC must be performed. In thecase of external modems, a connection program used is differentdepending upon an operating system of the user PC. After the externalmodem is installed, a PPPoE server should be searched and registered ina connection window of the user PC, for proper connection. Accordingly,the installation time is increased and the installation method iscomplicated. When the PPPoE server name is incorrect or a proper servername cannot be found, the modem must be reinstalled.

[0010] Third, in many cases, the Internet access using the ADSL hasoperation trouble due to mis-operation of a connection program by theuser. According to statistics, the failure due to the mis-operation bythe user accounts for 40% of the total computer failure. In the case ofthe external modem, the user is allowed to manipulate the connectionprogram, causing a frequent failure due to mis-manipulation by the user.In the case of the internal modem, the user may wrongly manipulate thetelephone connection adapter while using the user PC. The telephoneconnection adapter is a module which is installed separately from amodem device deriver. If the user, not knowing that the telephoneconnection adapter is used for ADSL connection, mistakenly uninstallsthe telephone connection adapter module or changes the set value, theADSL communication will get into trouble.

[0011] Fourth, an Internet access program using the ADSL requires anexcessive connection time, and the user must input his or her ID(identification) and password at each access.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0012] It is, therefore, an object of the present invention to providean Internet access method for reducing the number of steps of accessingthe Internet in a high-speed data service, using the existing telephoneline.

[0013] It is another object of the present invention to provide anInternet access method using common ADSL connection.

[0014] It is further another object of the present invention to providean Internet access method for reducing the frequency of failures due tomis-manipulation by a user.

[0015] To achieve the above and other objects, there is provided anautomatic Internet access method using a digital subscriber line. Themethod includes the steps of: upon receiving an automatic Internetaccess program install request from a user, installing a PPPoE devicedriver including a PPPoE adapter and an NDISWAN (Network DriverInterface Specification Wide Area Network) miniport driver, and an ADSLmonitoring tool which is an application program for informing the userwhether ADSL is connected, in a user PC; upon power on of the user PC,attempting automatic Internet access by the PPPoE device driver onWINDOWS™ over a device driver, and interposing between TCP/IP(Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol) and the PPPoE devicedriver a PPP/PPPoE module for informing the user of a current connectionstate through the ADSL monitoring tool under the control of the devicedriver; receiving a user ID and a password input by the user through auser interface while installing the PPPoE device driver in the user PC,and storing the received user ID and password in a registry; and uponpower on of the user PC, attaining by the device driver userauthentication from a NAS (Network Attached Storage) server on theInternet using the user ID and the password stored in the registry, andperforming Internet access.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0016] A more complete appreciation of the invention, and many of theattendant advantages thereof, will be readily apparent as the samebecomes better understood by reference to the following detaileddescription when considered in conjunction with the accompanyingdrawings in which like reference symbols indicate the same or similarcomponents, wherein:

[0017]FIG. 1 illustrates a hardware structure for an ADSL service usingan internal modem;

[0018]FIG. 2 illustrates a software structure for a subscriber using animproved internal modem according to an embodiment of the presentinvention;

[0019]FIG. 3 illustrates a hardware structure for an ADSL service usingan external ADSL modem;

[0020]FIG. 4 illustrates a software structure for a subscriber using animproved external ADSL modem according to an embodiment of the presentinvention;

[0021]FIG. 5 illustrates a structure of an automatic Internet accessprogram according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0022]FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining a discovery operation by aPPPoE adapter according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0023]FIG. 7 is a diagram for explaining a PPPoE session operation bythe PPPoE adapter according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0024]FIG. 8 is a diagram for explaining an operation of a miniportdriver;

[0025]FIG. 9 illustrates a packet frame between a user PC and an ADSLmodem;

[0026]FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining an operation of an applicationGUI;

[0027]FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating a window for inputting a user IDand a password while installing a device driver;

[0028]FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating an ADSL line state after acompleted booting of the user PC;

[0029]FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating a general state after theInternet access;

[0030]FIG. 14 is a block diagram for performing automatic Internetaccess according to an embodiment of the present invention; and

[0031]FIG. 15 is a diagram in which while the automatic Internet accessprogram sets up a network environment, a tray icon on the left bottom ofthe monitor blinks in yellow and green colors, and as the Internet isaccessed, a message box indicating the Internet access is displayed.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0032] A preferred embodiment of the present invention will be describedherein below with reference to the accompanying drawings. In thefollowing description, well-known functions or constructions are notdescribed in detail since they would obscure the invention inunnecessary detail.

[0033] In the embodiment of the present invention, the ADSL connectiontechniques conventionally separated for an internal modem and anexternal modem are united into a common PPPoE connection technique,regardless of the internal modem and the external modem. In addition,the conventional multiple steps of accessing the Internet are reduced toa single step, so the user can access the Internet as soon as the userPC is powered up, like in the private line.

[0034]FIG. 1 illustrates a hardware structure for an ADSL service usingan internal modem, and FIG. 2 illustrates a software structure for asubscriber using an improved internal modem according to an embodimentof the present invention. It should be noted herein that PPPoE is usedinstead of the existing PPPoA. Referring to FIG. 1, an internal ADSLmodem 4 is installed in a personal computer (PC) 2, and connected to aDSLAM (DSL Access Multiplexer) 6 through a digital subscriber line (DSL)5. The DSLAM 6, located in a central office, gathers traffics from theDSL line and transmits the traffics to a backbone of a service provideror the Internet. NAS (Network Attached Storage) 8 is a large-scale fileserver system not only for directly accessing a back-end network of aserver but also for accessing a backbone network of the server. The NAS8 has an end connected to the DSLAM 6 and another end connected to theInternet.

[0035] In order to support the internal ADSL modem 4 installed in theuser PC 2, an ADSL modem driver 20 is installed in the user PC 2 asillustrated in FIG. 2. Referring to FIG. 2, the ADSL modem driver 20according to an embodiment of the present invention supports amulti-layered protocol of ADSL, ATM (Asynchronous Transfer Mode), AAL5(ATM Adaptation Layer 5), and Ethernet over AAL5, and an upper interfacesupports NDIS (Network Device Interface Specification) 3, 4 or 5(reference 22). Further, a PPP/PPPoE module 24 is installed in an upperlayer, instead of the existing PPP for WINDOWS™. The PPP/PPPoE module 24automatically performs Internet access so that the user is not requiredto access the Internet by running a connection program. In addition, thePPP/PPPoE module 24 informs an ADSL state monitoring tool 26 of acurrent connection state, so that the ADSL state monitoring tool 26 caninform the user whether the ADSL is currently connected. The ADSL statemonitoring tool 26, an application program, receives information on acurrent line state from the ADSL modem device driver 20 and visuallydisplays the received information for the user. The application programfor the ADSL state monitoring tool 26, provided by the internal modemmaker, is installed while the device driver 20 is installed. In general,the application program is automatically run when WINDOWS™ (or the userPC 2) is booted. The application is registered in a tray and displays acurrent state of the ADSL line.

[0036]FIG. 3 illustrates a hardware structure for an ADSL service usingan external ADSL modem, and FIG. 4 illustrates a software structure fora subscriber using an improved external ADSL modem according to anembodiment of the present invention. An external ADSL modem 36illustrated in FIG. 3 is an Ethernet-type ADSL modem. An Ethernetadapter 34 is installed in a user PC 32, and connected to the externalmodem 36 through an Ethernet cable 35. Communication between the user PC32 and NAS (Network Access Storage) 8 is performed by PPPoE. Theexternal ADSL modem 36, as illustrated in FIG. 4, has a protocol stack40 of an ADSL layer 42, an ATM layer 44, an AAL5 layer 46 and anEthernet layer 50, and performs Ethernet-over-AAL5 layer encapsulation(see RFC 1483) 48 to put the Ethernet layer 50 over the AAL5 layer 46.An Ethernet NIC (Network Interface Card) & device driver 52 is installedin the user PC 32. A PPP/PPPoE module 54 (identical to the PPP/PPPoEmodule 24 of FIG. 2) according to an embodiment of the present inventionis mounted on the Ethernet NIC & device driver 52. The PPP/PPPoE module54 automatically performs Internet access so that the user is notrequired to access the Internet by running a connection program. AWINDOWS TCP/IP 56 operates on the PPP/PPPoE module 54.

[0037]FIG. 14 is a block diagram for performing automatic Internetaccess according to an embodiment of the present invention. Referring toFIG. 14, a user PC includes a connection driver 100, a WINDOWS TPC/IPsection 102, an ADSL state monitoring tool 104 and a registry 106. Theconnection driver 100 has the protocol stack 20 of FIG. 2 or theprotocol stack 40 of FIG. 4, and controls the ADSL state monitoring tool104 for state information processing. The ADSL state monitoring tool 104corresponds to the ADSL state monitoring tool 26 of FIG. 2. Theconnection driver 100 is connected to the registry 106 and performsautomatic user ID authentication. The registry 106 stores user ID andpassword information input by the user during installation of thedriver. In addition, the connection driver 100 monitors a connectionstate through an internal or external ADSL modem 108 connected to theInternet 110.

[0038] In order for a user PC to be provided with an Internet serviceusing the internal ADSL modem 4 or the external ADSL modem 36illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 3, an automatic Internet access programaccording to an embodiment of the present invention must be installed inthe user PC.

[0039] As illustrated in FIG. 5, an automatic Internet access programaccording to an embodiment of the present invention includes a PPPoEAdapter 62, NDISWAN (Network Driver Interface Specification Wide AreaNetwork) Miniport Driver 64, an Application 60 including an ApplicationGUI (Graphic User Interface) 60 and Installation Program 60.

[0040] A detailed description of each element of the automatic Internetaccess program according to the present invention will be given hereinbelow.

[0041] First, the PPPoE adapter 62 performs a discovery operation and aPPPoE session operation. Discovery is a step of setting up a PPPoEsession between the NAS 8 and the user PC 2. A PPPoE Session is a stepof performing user authentication and data transmission/reception(transmission and reception).

[0042]FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining the Discovery operation by thePPPoE adapter according to an embodiment of the present invention. TheDiscovery operation will be described in detail herein below withreference to FIG. 6.

[0043] A definition of the Discovery operation by the PPPoE adapteraccording to an embodiment of the present invention with reference toFIG. 6 includes a step of discovering (searching) a server to which ahost PC (or the user PC), serving as a client, performs PPP connection.The operational. process of the Discovery by the PPPoE adapter includes:(i) a server response request step by the host PC or user PC (DiscoveryIndication) where the host (or user) performs broadcasting to discoverthe server; (ii) a server response step by existing servers (DiscoveryOffer) where a response is transmitted to a host of the requestedserver; (iii) a server selection step after response re-request by thehost PC or user PC (Discovery Request) where the host selects one serverand sends a request to the selected server; and (iv) an informationtransmission step by the selected server (Discovery Ack) where theselected server transmits a response (Ack) with MAC (Medium AccessControl) address and PPPoE session IP information to the host PC.

[0044]FIG. 7 is a diagram for explaining the PPPoE Session operation bythe PPPoE adapter according to an embodiment of the present invention.The PPPoE Session operation will be described in detail herein belowwith reference to FIG. 7.

[0045] A Definition of the PPPoE Session includes a step of performinguser authentication and data transmission/reception. The operationalprocess of the PPPoE Session includes: (i) a PPPoE Session start whereacquisition of information is needed for point-to-point connectionthrough Ethernet; (ii) the host attempts authentication to a serverconnected using a user ID and a password, and performs authentication bychecking the DB (database) in the NAS and sets up connection; and (iii)a PPPoE Session end where data transmission/reception (transmission andreception) becomes available.

[0046] Next, a method of making the NDISWAN miniport driver in theautomatic Internet access program according to an embodiment of thepresent invention will be described herein below.

[0047] The miniport driver encapsulates IP datagram with PPP and thenattaches a PPPoE header thereto before transmitting a packet to anetwork driver. Upon receiving a packet from the network driver, theminiport driver decapsulates the received packet into IP datagram. FIG.8 is a diagram for explaining an operation of the miniport driver.Therefore, the packets exchanged between the user PC and the ADSL modemhave a format illustrated in FIG. 9. FIG. 9 illustrates a packet framebetween the user PC and the ADSL modem.

[0048] Next, a method of making the application GUI in the automaticInternet access program according to an embodiment of the presentinvention will be described herein below. FIG. 10 is a diagram forexplaining an operation of the application GUI. The application GUI, asillustrated in FIG. 10, receives a user ID and a password input by theuser, and displays on a screen an authentication and connection statewith the NAS server 8.

[0049] Finally, a method of making the installation program in theautomatic Internet access program according to an embodiment of thepresent invention will be described herein below. The installationprogram has a function of installing the entire program including thePPPoE adapter 62 and the NDISWAN miniport driver 64 in the user PC.

[0050] The user can install the automatic Internet access program, thePPPoE adapter 62 and the NDISWAN miniport driver 64 using theinstallation program after designating a directory. In the directorydesignated by the user, are installed the automatic Internet accessprogram, the PPPoE adapter and the NDISWAN miniport driver.

[0051] In the embodiment of the present invention, when the ADSL modemdevice driver is installed in the user PC, a user ID and a password arequeried. More specifically, if the user PC is rebooted afterinstallation of the automatic Internet access program, the applicationGUI is performed under the control of the connection driver 100, and a“connection” dialog box for inputting a user ID and a password isdisplayed on a screen of the user PC as illustrated in FIG. 11. If theuser inputs his or her ID and password in a space for a user name and aspace for a password, respectively, and then presses an “OK” icon, theconnection driver 100 stores the user ID and the password in theregistry 106 and then accesses the server through the PPPoE adapter 62,the NDISWAN miniport driver 64, the application GUI 60 and theinstallation program 60, using the user ID and the password, to attainauthentication. When the authentication is attained, the user can accessthe Internet. The set values can be stored using a Save function or canbe read using a Read function. By doing so, the user can select one ofthe plural Internet services used.

[0052] When the user turns on the PC next time, the PC automaticallyaccess the Internet using the user ID and the password previously set(or stored) in the registry 106. While the automatic Internet accessprogram sets up a network environment, a tray icon on the left bottom ofthe monitor blinks in yellow and green colors, and as the Internet isaccessed, a message box indicating the Internet access is displayed asillustrated in FIG. 15.

[0053] In the embodiment of the present invention, the user, whileaccessing the Internet, can see the access state through a screen of theuser PC. In the embodiment of the present invention, if the Internetaccess is made, an icon indicating a current connection state isdisplayed on an operating state display line on a background screen, asillustrated in FIG. 12. Referring to FIG. 12, reference numeral 70denotes an icon indicating that an ADSL line state is a normal state,and reference numeral 72 denotes an icon indicating that the ADSL linestate is an abnormal state. Through the icon, the connection driver 100can determine the network state. The following are possible networkstates: a state in which an access to the network is made; a state inwhich an access to the network is being attempted; a state in which anaccess to the network is made but no data is transmitted and received; astate in which data is transmitted; a state in which data is received; astate in which data is transmitted and received; a state in which anetwork access is in a good condition; a state in which a network accessis in a bad condition; and a state in which an error has occurred in anetwork line.

[0054] In the embodiment of the present invention, if the ADSL line isin an abnormal state, the Internet access program continuously checksthe ADSL line state. As soon as the ADSL line state is recovered, theInternet access program immediately performs automatic access to theInternet (e.g., within 20 seconds and less).

[0055] The embodiment of the present invention allows the user torecognize the general state of the connection after the Internet access.FIG. 13 illustrates a window for showing network information. Throughthe window, the user can see a network connection time, a time lapsedafter the connection, the number of transmitted/received bytes, anupload/download rate, and an allocated IP address.

[0056] In addition, the embodiment of the present invention supports afunction of uninstalling the automatic Internet access program. If theuser chooses a Delete icon to uninstall the automatic, Internet accessprogram, the automatic Internet access program including the PPPoEadapter and the NDISWAN miniport driver is uninstalled from the user PC.The user PC returns to its previous state in which the automaticInternet access program was installed.

[0057] According to the present invention, the user is not required toperform a separate program or a telephone connection adapter in order toaccess the Internet. Instead, the PC, as it is turned on by the user,automatically accesses the Internet. If the Internet access isdisconnected, the PPP/PPPoE module automatically attempts the Internetaccess. Therefore, unless the ADSL line and the ADSL service are failed,the PC always accesses the Internet.

[0058] As described above, the present invention has the followingadvantages.

[0059] First, as the user boots the PC connected to the ADSL, the ADLSconnection is previously automatically made, so the user can access theInternet without separately inputting his or her ID and password.

[0060] Second, although the Internet access is disconnected due to asystem failure or error, if the system failure or error is resolved,ADSL connection is automatically made. In most cases, the ADSLconnection is automatically performed, while the user does not recognizethe process of reconnection, thereby avoiding interrupting the user. Thetime that the user cannot temporarily use the Internet is greatlyreduced.

[0061] Third, the automatic Internet access program according to anembodiment of the present invention makes and maintains the ADSLconnection without even an application program. Therefore, although theuser mistakenly uninstalls the application program, he or she can stilluse the Internet. The automatic Internet access program performs the PPPand PPPoE connection protocol by itself, without using a telephoneconnection program.

[0062] Fourth, since the automatic Internet access program serves as aconnection driver (VxD) in the popular operating systems of WINDOWS 98,WINDOWS 98SE (second edition) and WINDOWS 95 as well as WINDOWS ME(millennium edition) and other operating systems, it has a simplesoftware structure. In addition, the automatic Internet access programstably operates in all operating systems. Since the automatic Internetaccess program excludes the use of a complicated installation file, itsinstallation process is very simple.

[0063] Fifth, the automatic Internet access program automaticallydetects a modem connected to the Internet, makes connection andmaintains the connection. Even though a plurality of network cards areconnected to the PC, the user is not required to manually designate themodem.

[0064] While the invention has been shown and described with referenceto a certain preferred embodiment thereof, it will be understood bythose skilled in the art that various changes in form and details may bemade therein without departing from the spirit and scope of theinvention as defined by the appended claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. An automatic Internet access method using adigital subscriber line, comprising the steps of: upon receiving anautomatic Internet access program install request from a user,installing a Point-to-Point Protocol over Ethernet device driverincluding a Point-to-Point Protocol over Ethernet adapter and a NetworkDriver Interface Specification Wide Area Network miniport driver, and anAsynchronous Digital Subscriber Line monitoring tool which is anapplication program for informing the user whether an AsynchronousDigital Subscriber Line is connected, in a user personal computer; upona power on of the user personal computer, attempting automatic Internetaccess by the Point-to-Point Protocol over Ethernet device driver over adevice driver, and interposing between Transmission ControlProtocol/Internet Protocol and the Point-to-Point Protocol over Ethernetdevice driver, a Point-to-Point Protocol/Point-to-Point Protocol overEthernet module for informing the user of a current connection statethrough the Asynchronous Digital Subscriber Line monitoring tool underthe control of the device driver; receiving a user identification and apassword input by the user through a user interface while installing thePoint-to-Point Protocol over Ethernet device driver in the user personalcomputer, and storing the received user identification and password in aregistry; and upon power on of the user personal computer, attaining bythe device driver user authentication from a Network Attached Storageserver on the Internet using the user identification. and the passwordstored in the registry, and performing Internet access.
 2. The automaticInternet access method of claim 1, with the Point-to-Point Protocol overEthernet adapter comprising: a discovery step of setting up aPoint-to-Point Protocol over Ethernet session between the NetworkAttached Storage server and the user personal computer; and aPoint-to-Point Protocol over Ethernet session step of performing userauthentication using the user identification and the password, andperforming data transmission and reception.
 3. The automatic Internetaccess method of claim 1, with the Network Driver InterfaceSpecification Wide Area Network miniport driver comprising the steps of:encapsulating Internet Protocol datagram with Point-to-Point Protocol,attaching a Point-to-Point Protocol over Ethernet header to theencapsulated Internet Protocol datagram, and transmitting thePoint-to-Point Protocol over Ethernet header-attached Internet Protocoldatagram to a network driver; and decapsulating a packet received fromthe network driver into Internet Protocol datagram by detaching thePoint-to-Point Protocol over Ethernet header from the received packet.4. The automatic Internet access method of claim 1, further comprisingthe step of displaying, by the device driver, an authentication andconnection state with the Network Attached Storage server using theAsynchronous Digital Subscriber Line state monitoring tool, on a screenof the user identification.
 5. The automatic Internet access method ofclaim 4, further comprising the step of continuously checking by thedevice driver an Asynchronous Digital Subscriber Line when theAsynchronous Digital Subscriber Line is in an abnormal state, andperforming automatic Internet access, when the Asynchronous DigitalSubscriber Line state is recovered.
 6. The automatic Internet accessmethod of claim 2, with the Network Driver Interface Specification WideArea Network miniport driver comprising the steps of: encapsulatingInternet Protocol datagram with Point-to-Point Protocol, attaching aPoint-to-Point Protocol over Ethernet header to the encapsulatedInternet Protocol datagram, and transmitting the Point-to-Point Protocolover Ethernet header-attached Internet Protocol datagram to a networkdriver; and decapsulating a packet received from the network driver intoInternet Protocol datagram by detaching the Point-to-Point Protocol overEthernet header from the received packet.
 7. The automatic Internetaccess method of claim 6, further comprising the step of displaying, bythe device driver, an authentication and connection state with theNetwork Attached Storage server using the Asynchronous DigitalSubscriber Line state monitoring tool, on a screen of the useridentification.
 8. The automatic Internet access method of claim 7,further comprising the step of continuously checking by the devicedriver an Asynchronous Digital Subscriber Line when the AsynchronousDigital Subscriber Line is in an abnormal state, and performingautomatic Internet access, when the Asynchronous Digital Subscriber Linestate is recovered.
 9. The automatic Internet access method of claim 2,further comprising the step of displaying, by the device driver, anauthentication and connection state with the Network Attached Storageserver using the Asynchronous Digital Subscriber Line state monitoringtool, on a screen of the user identification.
 10. The automatic Internetaccess method of claim 9, further comprising the step of continuouslychecking by the device driver an Asynchronous Digital Subscriber Linewhen the Asynchronous Digital Subscriber Line is in an abnormal state,and performing automatic Internet access, when the Asynchronous DigitalSubscriber Line state is recovered.
 11. The automatic Internet accessmethod of claim 3, further comprising the step of displaying, by thedevice driver, an authentication and connection state with the NetworkAttached Storage server using the Asynchronous Digital Subscriber Linestate monitoring tool, on a screen of the user identification.
 12. Theautomatic Internet access method of claim 11, further comprising thestep of continuously checking by the device driver an AsynchronousDigital Subscriber Line when the Asynchronous Digital Subscriber Line isin an abnormal state, and performing automatic Internet access, when theAsynchronous Digital Subscriber Line state is recovered.
 13. A method,comprising: installing a Point-to-Point Protocol over Ethernet devicedriver including a Point-to-Point Protocol over Ethernet adapter and aminiport driver, and a subscriber line monitoring tool being anapplication program for informing the user whether a subscriber line isconnected, in a client computer; storing a received user identificationinformation in a registry of an operating system of the client computerwhile installing the Point-to-Point Protocol over Ethernet device driverin the client computer; attempting automatic access to a network by thePoint-to-Point Protocol over Ethernet device driver over a devicedriver, and interposing between Transmission Control Protocol/InternetProtocol and the Point-to-Point Protocol over Ethernet device driver, aPoint-to-Point Protocol/Point-to-Point Protocol over Ethernet module forinforming the user of a current connection state through the subscriberline monitoring tool under the control of the device driver; andattaining by the device driver user authentication from a server on thenetwork using the user identification information stored in theregistry, and performing access to the network.
 14. The method of claim13, further comprised of attempting automatic access to the network upona power on of the client computer.
 15. The method of claim 14, furthercomprised of attaining by the device driver user authentication from aserver upon a power on of the client computer.
 16. The method of claim15, further comprised of continuously attempting automatic access to thenetwork, after disconnection to the network, until a connection of theclient computer with the network.
 17. The method of claim 16, furthercomprising with the Point-to-Point Protocol over Ethernet adaptercomprising: a discovery step of setting up a Point-to-Point Protocolover Ethernet session between the server and the client computer; and aPoint-to-Point Protocol over Ethernet session step of performing userauthentication using the user identification information, and performingdata transmission and reception.
 18. The method of claim 17, with theminiport driver comprising of: encapsulating Internet Protocol datagramwith Point-to-Point Protocol, attaching a Point-to-Point Protocol overEthernet header to the encapsulated Internet Protocol datagram, andtransmitting the Point-to-Point Protocol over Ethernet header-attachedInternet Protocol datagram to a network driver; and decapsulating apacket received from the network driver into Internet Protocol datagramby detaching the Point-to-Point Protocol over Ethernet header from thereceived packet.
 19. An apparatus, comprising: a memory of a clientcomputer comprising a device driver of Point-to-Point Protocol overEthernet, the device driver comprising: an adapter of Point-to-PointProtocol over Ethernet, the adapter performing a discovery step ofsetting up a Point-to-Point Protocol over Ethernet session between aserver and the client computer, and a Point-to-Point Protocol overEthernet session step of performing user authentication using useridentification information until a performing of data transmission andreception between the server and the client computer; a miniport driverencapsulating Internet Protocol datagram with Point-to-Point Protocol,attaching a Point-to-Point Protocol over Ethernet header to theencapsulated Internet Protocol datagram, and transmitting thePoint-to-Point Protocol over Ethernet header-attached Internet Protocoldatagram to a network driver, and decapsulating a packet received fromthe network driver into Internet Protocol datagram by detaching thePoint-to-Point Protocol over Ethernet header from the received packet;and a subscriber line monitoring tool informing the user whether asubscriber line is connected from the client computer to a networkconnected to the server.
 20. The apparatus of claim 19, furthercomprised of installing the device driver in the client computer,storing a received user identification information in a registry of anoperating system of the client computer while installing the devicedriver in the client computer, attempting automatic access to thenetwork by the device driver, and interposing between TransmissionControl Protocol/Internet Protocol and the Point-to-Point Protocol overEthernet device driver, a Point-to-Point Protocol/Point-to-PointProtocol over Ethernet module for informing the user of a currentconnection state through the subscriber line monitoring tool under thecontrol of the device driver, and attaining by the device driver userauthentication from the server on the network using the useridentification information stored in the registry, and performing accessto the network.